Difference Between the UK, Great Britain, and England By Matt Rosenberg Updated February 19, 2016. While many people use the terms United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England interchangeably, there is a difference between them -- one is a country, the second is an island, and the third is a part of an island. The United Kingdom The United Kingdom is an independent country off the northwestern coast of Europe. It consists of the entire island of Great Britain and a northern part of the island of Ireland. In fact, the official name of the country is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland." The capital city of the United Kingdom is London and the head of state is currently Queen Elizabeth II. The United Kingdom is one of the founding members of the United Nations and sits on the United Nations Security Council. The creation of the United Kingdom heralds back to 1801 when there was a unification between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In the 1920s, southern Ireland gained independence and the name of the modern country of the United Kingdom became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Great Britain Great Britain is the name of the island northwest of France and east of Ireland. Much of the United Kingdom consists of the island of Great Britain. On the large island of Great Britain there are three somewhat autonomous regions: England, Wales, and Scotland. Great Britain is the ninth largest island on Earth and has an area of 80,823 square miles (209,331 square kilometers). England occupies the southeast portion of the island of Great Britain, Wales is in the southwest, and Scotland is in the north. Scotland and Wales are not independent countries but do have some autonomy from the United Kingdom with respect to internal governance. England England is located in the southern part of the island of Great Britain, which is part of the country of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom includes the administrative regions of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Each region varies in its level of autonomy, but they are all part of the United Kingdom. While England has traditionally been thought of as the hearth of the United Kingdom, some use the term "England" to refer to the entire country, but this is not correct.

Although common to hear or see London, England, though that is technically correct, it does imply that the independent country is named England, but that is not so. Ireland A final note on Ireland. The northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland is the administrative region of the United Kingdom known as Northern Ireland. The remaining southern five-sixths of the island of Ireland is the independent country known as the Republic of Ireland (Eire) . Using the Right Term It is inappropriate to refer to the United Kingdom as Great Britain or England; one should be specific about toponyms (place names) and utilize the correct nomenclature. Remember, United Kingdom (or U.K.) is the country, Great Britain is the island, and England is one of the U.K.'s four administrative regions. Since unification, the Union Jack flag has combined elements of England, Scotland, and Ireland to represent the unification of constituent parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (although Wales is left out). Ordnance Survey Blog The difference between UK, Britain and the British Isles Hows about the Channel Islands then. OK – not part of the UK but are they part of the British Isles?

Nicholas “Britain” does not mean “England and Wales”. When the Kingdoms of Scotland and of England were united by the Act and Treaty of Union, the resulting new country was called “Great Britain”. It was called “Great” to distinguish it from Brittany. The Channel Isles are part of the British Isles, but not part of the United Kingdom. They are Crown Dependencies as a result of them forming part of the Dutchy of Normandy Paul Hi Nicholas, Our research points to the name Britain coming from the Roman name “Britannia” (or “Britannia Major”, to distinguished from “Britannia Minor”, ie Brittany in France). Since the Roman’s only ever conquered the areas of modern day England and Wales, it is arguable that the name Britain originally referred only to those countries. Hi, I was interested to ask on what basis was the British Isles “purely” a geographical term? How is the Channel Islands similar (its geographically not, hence why everyone struggles to get on the map and settles for a little box in the corner) in terms geology to the other islands and more similar to them than they are to mainland France?

How can the term be considered “purely” geographical considering its use, historically and at present, by the UK Government to refer to the Islands that are somehow “British” i.e. pre 1948 the Government defines it as including Ireland and post as not including Ireland, it being used as a synonym for the British Islands? If it is just islands off North-West Europe how come the Faroe Islands is not included or Iceland? The Faroe Islands makes more sense geographically than the Channel Islands. Surly because of the overlap between its legal/political use it can’t ever be considered purely geographical? Because of its ambiguous nature (including Ireland/not including Ireland including the Channel Islands/not including the Channel Islands) Please not that Irish people find its use offensive because of its ambiguous nature and overlap as use as political and legal term. Please stop using this term and confine to the dustbin of history where it belongs. I am interested to understand your geological logic for these islands being similar. Look forward to hearing from you.

28 August, 2012 at 14:24 Gemma Thanks for the comment and a very good point – we posted this blog because, as the national mapping for Great Britain, we are often asked geography-related questions and this question crops up regularly. There is also a common perception that Ordnance Survey produce mapping for Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and so on, whereas our remit is Great Britain, and there is a lot of confusion as to what this entails and covers. The post is put together to answer the geographical definitions of what constitutes the UK, Great Britain and the British Isles and not intended to stray into either geological or political comments that would be inappropriate for us as the national mapping agency to comment on. A. Lindsay @Gemma thanks for your reply. The point is it is not a “purely a geographical term” as stated in your blog and if you use it you got to willing to debate it. You already have strayed into geological or political comments that would be inappropriate for you as the national mapping agency to comment on by including the term in your blog. Especially without clarification that its use can cause offence and that their is more than one definition commonly in use.

I support the Ordnance Survey’s idea of trying to get people to use the correct terms, but this term is not an appropriate geographical term for these islands and this promotes its use as such. If you don’t wish to have the debate on it or amend your blog then I suggest you remove the term. As it is, you are supporting its use. Andy Concise, and informative article. Thank you. I’m wondering if A. Lindsay bothered to read the article properly or was just having an off day? Boru Andy, I’m not sure if you understand the point A. Lindsay is making. The term “British Isles” can be viewed, certainly by persons in Ireland, as a political term. Just saying that it is only a geographical term does not make it so, especially when the term has political history. There are two major islands: Great Britain and Ireland. We could therefore just as easily call the islands the Irish Isles. Indeed, that would probably have been the accepted geographical term if Ireland had been the more powerful empire. So you see, geographical terms are highly influenced by political history, and there is no point in denying that. Naming of places is heavily influenced by politics and has been throughout human history.

For example, “North America” is a geographical term, but is named after an Italian explorer. It is inherently political. David Miller British Isles was accurate from the 12th century to the early 20th century, when the British controlled Ireland; however, now it seems that Ireland has renounced all Britishness since leaving the British Commonwealth in 1949. I notice that cruise lines and other sources use “British & Irish Isles,” which seems more 21st century. British Isles has become a political term, same as Persian Gulf (bordering Arab states use Arabian Gulf) and Sea of Japan (South Korea advocates East Sea). Persian Gulf and Sea of Japan place names suggest ownership, and British Isles implies a uniform culture, which does not exist. Thoughtless inertia and British nationalism appear to be great allies in the continued use of a British Isles descriptor that includes Ireland. 19 February, 2013 at 03:02 Peter In your version of Great Britian you have included all the Scottish isles and the Isle of Wight.

Great Britain is strictly the mainland and none of the surrounding islands, so for example Great Britain does not include Angelsy, The Isles of Scilly, or even places like Peil island or Chapel Island off the coast of the Furness peninusla in Cumbria (Or more correctly “Lancashire beyond the sands”, for friends of real Lancashire) Nigel Robets The terms ‘British Isles’ is deprecated becuase it is ambiguous and historically provocative. The similar term ‘British Islands’ however, is precisely defined in statute (the Interpretation Act 1948) and has a different meaning. It means ‘the United Kingdom of Great Britain and N. Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man’. It does not include the 26 counties that were part of the the UK between 1801 and 1922 and, following a period as a self-governing Dominion of the Crown (as the Irish Free State, and from 1937 ‘Ireland’), became a fully sovereign state in 1949. Incidentally, American news readers still incorrectly refer to the UK as ‘Britain’ or ‘Great Britain’.

That country ceased to exist in 1801, so whenever you hear that term, you should realise that the person using it is 210 years, and two major constitutional changes (a union and, 121 years later, a breakup) behind the times. 13 September, 2014 at 04:11 Sean I am from Ireland and British Isles is only “provocative” for the most half-witted of Irish Republicans who suffer from a severe inferiority complex and out-dated irrational hatred of “the Brits”. Many people from Ireland (only confident types) also DO consider themselves British in a British Isles sense but not British in a United Kingdom sense. (similarly to the way people in Northern Ireland can consider themselves Irish in a geographical sense) Seán Sean I too live in Ireland. As a half-wit corporate City lawyer, I also lived in England for many years and have a great affection for England and the English – they’re a friendly, hospitable and quick-witted people and I return there regularly for holidays and to visit the many good friends I made there. We’re very lucky to have them as neighbours, frankly.

I have no ‘hatred’ of anyone, despite your ill-mannered and patronising preconceptions about anyone in Ireland who disagrees with you on this point. Most people in Ireland (including confident types) do not consider themselves British in a British Isles sense; including the Irish government. If only we all could be as confident as you Sean, eh? Another Seán 2 November, 2013 at 14:40 Satan “The islands to the north by north west of Europe” works good if you have less spare time in your day. 😛 6 August, 2013 at 23:32 Alex In reference to what constitutes ‘Britain’ (without the Great), the Romans occupied (for two periods) plenty of modern day Scotland and built the Antonine (or Severan) wall between the Forth and Clyde. North of that they called Caledonia. If Britain is different from Great Britain and is based on what the Romans called Britannia, surely it should end at either the Antonine wall (incorporating the borders and lowlands of Scotland) or at Hadrian’s wall (excluding northernmost England).

In Edinburgh you have the North British Hotel (at the end of the North British Railway) and other organisations such as the North British Rowing Club. It seems that if a distinction is to be made, then the boundary should be the Antonine wall. 18 dudley court 24 Lethington avenue The term “North British” was used to prefix many places, hotels, companies etc as a calculated attempt to remove the distinctions between Scotland and other parts of the UK, particularly England. It was an early form of ‘British nationalism’ which sought to blur and even remove those national distinctions which prevailed in the constituent parts of the UK. 3 September, 2014 at 19:19 Andy Peter (19/12/2012) – the 3rd largest island in the British Isles (by way of population) is Portsea Island, which forms about 70% of the City of Portsmouth. As a resident of Portsea Island, I would not welcome the notion that I do not live in, or on, Great Britain!!!

1 October, 2013 at 18:45 Paul “Britain”is short hand for the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ” in the Political sense, then of course Great Britain is a geographical term, now I’m from Northern Ireland and I’m often insulted when told “Im not British” because i dont come from “Great Britain” but the term “British” refers to all people from the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland included) as well as British people from the Crown dependencies of the Isle of Man and Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey as well as the Overseas territories like Gibratar for example …also I live on the Island of Ireland so I’m Irish as well as being British and Northern Irish also… 26 May, 2014 at 16:14 John Richards It does seem a shame that the nomclemature of Geography, a physical science, should be involved in matters related to Politics, a social science, but, and for very understandable historical reasons that is what has occurred. Should Geography alter it’s vocabulary to accommodate this?

I do not personally think so, though neither do I think that my opinion should be uncritically accepted by anyone else… IMHO, and only that, the term ‘Great Britain’ refers to the largest of the islands of the British Archipeligo, the ‘Great’ simply denoting ‘big’ and not any other concept of superiority. Sorry if you live on Portsea, but you do not live on or in Great Britain; you are, of course, absolutely British! The Irish aspect of this is the one most confused by Politics and history, and I can fully understand and sympathise with the reluctance of some Irish people to be associated with anything British, but, in Geographical terms, Ireland is the second largest land mass in the British Isles. I would like to see the use of the term ‘Great Britain’ superseded by the use of ‘Mainland’, within a context of the British Isles.

This would satisfy the Geographical requirements, clear the confusion over offshore islands such as Orkney or Anglesey which are part of the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’ but not of Great Britain in a Geographical sense, and would hopefully put an end to the ridiculous and jingoistic use ‘Great British’ this or that which I find highly irritating! David Hi, There seems to be quite a bit of confusion here, both geographically, historically and politically. So much so that it’s hard to start from one single point. I’ll try my best to approach the points raised from an historical timeline perspective. Note: Please be aware that most place names will be used in their most popular current Anglicised form as this conversation is in English. Way back in the midst of time when political turmoil was about which neighbouring village was the latest “enemy of the month” the inhabitants of these islands and isles along with traders from the continent referred to this area of Europe as the Prettania. In fact even as far away as Greece and long before that Jesus dude was walking across the earth they knew of their existence.

They even knew that they were made up of lots of islands that included two very large islands (the largest known islands to most Europeans at the time) called Albion and Iwernia. All of these names were what the local inhabitants referred to these islands as to the Greek traders and explorers as long ago as 300 B.C. Greece (which included much of Sicily, that big island at the foot of Italy) began to wane and the Rome started along the long road to becoming an Empire. After much fighting they had gained control of much of the Mediterranean area and Western Europe. This included the conquest of Gaul (I’ll reference this area later) which gave the Romans access to Pretannia. They weren’t very successful at first, then that Julius chap came along and started winning against these Bretons. This is when Pretannia changed to Bretannia. This is also where Great Britain enters history. Great Britain refers to only the main island of the British Isles. It does not include any of the surrounding isles. These were conquered along the way and were anything but great. The inhabitants of the largest island knew just how vast it was the Romans only knew from the reports of their sources.

They did know that it was the largest by far and referred to it as Great. The conquered area of the main island and all the lesser ones was referred to politically as Bretania by the Romans. Their conquest of Bretania eventually extended to the Scottish Lowlands. North of that were the lands of the Picts (painted people) to the west was the second largest Bretania island, Hibernia. The Scotti tribe resided on this island around the area that is modern day Belfast. Hadrian’s Wall was built to protect these Bretons from the Picts. Antonine’s Wall was built to protect the Bretania lands from raids from the Picts and Scotti who were working together. Faroe Islands – These islands are not part of the British Isles because they were so remote that neither the Greeks, Romans or Germanic tribes knew of their existence at the time. Brittany (modern day France) – This region was a part of Gaul (Asterix and Obelix?) and known as Amorica to the Romans. It is known as Brittany only after the Roman Empire started to collapse.

As the Romans started to withdraw they were defeated, at first, by the Scotti and the Picts and then joined by some of the formerly defeated Breton tribes. They crossed the Channel and set up colonies in Brittany (Little Britain) and Galicia (mostly Northern Spain but spread sporadically along the coast to Southern France). All these Bretons and Galicians spoke a mixture of British Celtic languages (all of which were similar to Gaelic). Channel Islands – these are in fact not part of the British Isles. They also are part of the British Isles. The confusion surrounding them stems from the Roman withdrawal from Bretania. They were effectively taken over by the advancing Breton tribes (remember this included a lot of tribes from modern day Ireland) and subsequently became part of Bretania along with Brittany. Eventually, after many other invaders assumed control of Eastern and Southern Bretania, the Germanic tribes of the Angles and Saxons arrived. England arose from this and until Joan D’Arc arrived this consisted of the whole of Northern France from Brittany to Flanders and the West of France around Bordeaux. Ultimately this led to the loss of continental England of which only the Channel Islands remain.

Upon the Acts of Union (there are two Acts as they had to be passed in both parliaments) between England and Scotland these islands remained outside the political union of Great Britain. So although they are not technically a part of the British Isles, as a dependency of the English Crown (and now the British Crown) they often (wrongly) get classed as such. This is because “the Crown” is not in fact the physical crown itself but is in fact Her Majesty the Queen of (this bit goes on forever, trust me.) or whomever happens to be the reigning monarch. Crown Dependencies belong exclusively to the reigning monarch and are separate from the sovereign state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Great Britain (political context) – This entity includes all the lands of Scotland and England. I don’t want to upset the Welsh but Wales has actually been a region of England since Edward I defeated ALL the Welsh principalities. This includes the island of Great Britain and all other Scottish and English (including Welsh) islands. This is the area depicted in the first map and which Ordnance Survey maps on behalf of Her Majesty through Her Majesty’s Government in accordance with the Acts of Union between Scotland and England.

I know a lot of Irish people (some, as stated, are glad to be British)may be upset at being referred to as British and classified as part of the British Isles but the reality is that you ancestors were the ones who classed their territory as being in the British Isles. The fact is that for over 2000 years, long before these islands were ruled by one monarch, Bretannia and Hibernia were the two largest islands in the British Isles. Their inhabitants were numerous tribes who classified these islands as Pretannia. I’m one of the 62% of Scots who are “Scottish, not British” by the way. Summary Map One is correct in a political sense but incorrect in a geographical sense as only the main island is Great Britain. Map Two is correct only in a political sense as it includes the countries of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Yes, Norther Ireland is a country and is represented in the Union Flag by the St. Patrick’s Cross. Scotland is represented as a member of this union by the St. Andrew’s Cross. England is, the only country not represented by a saltire, is represented by St George’s Cross.

Map Three is only correct in a political sense (as the Crown Dependencies belong to the English Crown) but for the purist it is incorrect in a geographical sense as the Channel Islands are actually a part of the continent of Europe. Oh… the pedantic part of my nature has to point out that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland isn’t in fact the union’s full title. Lawyers are pedantic at the best of time, lawyers working for the Crown take their pedanticism to levels that would destroy your will to live. Just be thankful that you don’t have to repeat the union’s full royal title even once. 13 August, 2014 at 22:24 Richard of Oz Bloody hell! Can we please have another war just to settle this once and for all? Thank goodness that here in Oz we have no such confusion. 18 August, 2014 at 00:10 Anthony In Ireland we use the term ( The British and Irish Isles) as Ireland is an island in its own right, regardless of politics. The political and out dated colonial term The British Isles is not used in anyway by the Government or people of Ireland.

Even the Ordnance Survey of Ireland use the term the British and Irish Isles, is it not about time the British OS done the same and respect the people of Ireland who refuse to be british!! 18 August, 2014 at 03:47 Mike I always thought (a) that Great Britain consisted of England, Scotland and Wales INCLUDING their respective islands but excluding The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as they are politically distinct; that (b) that the United Kingdom consisted of Great Britain plus Northern Ireland and its islands, plus the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands; and (c) The British Isles is a defunct political term, now used as a geographical term to describe the United Kingdom plus the Republic of Ireland and its islands, collectively. As someone else has said, this last term is a remnant of the erstwhile colonial relationship between Great Britain and Ireland, and perhaps it would be a good idea to replace it with the term ‘The British and Irish Islands’. But to me it’s not a big deal.

After all, we don’t have a clamour to rename the ‘Irish Sea’ as the ‘Irish & British Sea’ …… 🙂 Mike Of course, all of these definitions may need to be revised if Alex Salmond has his way … 🙂 Mal The term ‘British Isles’ is NOT deprecated. It is, however, historical. To wit: the people of the British Isles are, in fact, British. Oppenheimer et al have proven that the people of the British Isles are basically the same peoples, with very little genetic difference between them. That is because most of the people there are of the same groups that settled thousands of years ago. The differences come from the smaller numbers of invaders over the thousands of years – the Gaels, Normans, Romans, Angles, Jutes, Saxons, Vikings etc. The idea that the British Isles are not British is a modern one, brought about after the rise of the Nation State, when populist separatism became en vogue. There is a difference between ‘British’ as a nationality, and the British peoples – the peoples of the Isles of the Pretani (British). Further, let’s not have hypocrites: stop pretending that the Republic of Ireland is ‘Ireland’.

It isn’t, no matter what that specific country decided to (politically astutely) call it. I find it to be an insult to those of us Irish who elect not to become part of a separatist Irish statelet. If you’re going to call it the ridiculous-sounding ‘British and Irish Isles’, you should really consider something more catchy instead: ‘British and Irish and Scottish and Welsh and Cornish… Isles’. In fact, we could drop the despised ‘British’ epithet altogether! Get over the label-hating people, and enjoy actual history, instead of attempting to rewrite it! William The rugby union team comprising the best of the four home nations (there’s another term for you) – formerly known as the British Lions – has called itself the British and Irish Lions for some time now to the satisfaction of all. I suggest the ‘Isles’ should follow suit. Great Britain =England & Wales & Scotland, UK = England & Wales & Scotland & Northern Ireland, British Isles =England & Wales & Scotland & Ireland & Northern Ireland, Then why does the term ‘British’ refer to the inhabitants of the UK rather than Britain. David Dance The Act of Union, 1707.

Article 1: “THAT the two Kingdoms of Scotland and England shall upon the first day of May next ensuing the date hereof, and for ever after, be united into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN” Britain is the name of the island and The united kingdom is the political system we have. 19 September, 2014 at 00:07 Bunty Inhabitants of the Isle of Wight call the bit above them the North Island (they are the South Island) – just to throw that into the mix lol! History! lol you mean stories that you select that match your simplistic bias. Like the way you accept without question the supposed pretani islands LOL what the island of Ireland as described that if you had ACTUALLY studied the original documents and not some little Britain supposed translation! Had this supposed other Island placed between what is now Britain and Spain! Ptolemys map examined. Of course british isles is political. British is not a ancient word or some natural organic form, it is a invented word and one of the 17th century at earliest and then in basic form and not in the form you and people like you want to, and clearly need to imagine.

Get over the label-hating people, and enjoy actual history, instead of attempting to rewrite it! Ireland is a island off the coast of Europe. We live in the 21st century. Not that one would ever know it was the 21st century what with this ordnance survey website quoting colonial cliché. The ordnance survey of another small island off the coast of Europe that claims to be United even if the need for a prefix LOL and around half of Scots ! suggests otherwise. British is a colonial term, having no credible ore remotely distinct ancient term of reference. Ireland suffices the world over for this Island. 4 October, 2014 at 07:06 jerry O'Neil I am from Northern Ireland and I consider my self as neither british or Irish, I am Northern Irish. Just thought i would like to confuse the issue a bit more ;p So proud of our little country and its people Liam Neeson, Kenneth Branagh,C. S. Lewis,Van Morrison,Sam neill,James nesbitt,Joey Dunlop,Rory McIlroy,Darren Clarke,Christine Bleakley and the list goes on……..

Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom | Difference Between Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom • Categorized under Geography , Miscellaneous | Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom Great Britain vs the United Kingdom Great Britain refers to the island located to the east of Ireland, and to the northwest of France. It comprises of three autonomous regions, namely England , Scotland and Wales. Due to it’s historical power and dominance, there is a tendency for many to confuse England as Great Britain or the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is the country that is made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , thus the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This implies that England is a part of Great Britain, which is also part of the United Kingdom. One thing of importance to note here is, that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not countries, but regions that make up the country called the United Kingdom. There is a portion of Ireland that is not a part of Northern Ireland, and this is an independent country known as the Republic of Ireland. England makes up the largest part of the United Kingdom in terms of population, making up about eighty four percent of the entire population of the country.

Geographically, England makes up about 57% of Great Britain. England’s capital, London, is also the largest city in the United Kingdom, and has acted as the center of power for the United Kingdom since the year 1707. However, things were to change a bit in 1999, when partial ruling powers were granted to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly of Wales. The term ‘British’ rightly refers to any persons from Great Britain, not just people from England, but it has widely been confused to mean the same as ‘English’, which denotes persons from England. However, the more generic term of ‘British’ is often shunned by people from the three regions of Great Britain, who prefer to be referred to as English, Scottish or Welsh. The northern most part of Great Britain is occupied by the region Scotland. It was not part of England until 1603, when the Scottish king, King James VI, inherited the English throne. However, the regions remained separate until 1707 when the acts of union were passed, which merged the parliaments of England and Scotland into the United Kingdom parliament. Wales and Ireland were under the control of England by this time.

In the southwestern part of Great Britain is the region known as Wales. The Irish Sea separates Wales from Ireland and Northern Ireland. Although it’s long, and often complex history, has always linked it to England, it has been considered a separate region since 1955. Northern Ireland makes up the final component of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1920, and it is not part of the Republic of Ireland. It is located on a different island from the rest of the regions of the United Kingdom, occupying the island west of Great Britain with Ireland. Great Britain, together with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as many other small islands, make up the British Isles. Summary: Great Britain is made of three autonomous regions, and the United Kingdom comprises of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is not a country, whereas the United Kingdom is a country. The term ‘British’ may refer to all people from Great Britain, but it doesn’t refer to all people from the United Kingdom.

Related Posts The Difference between the U.K., Great Britain, England, and the British Isles The Difference between the U.K., Great Britain, England, and the British Isles Key differences of these names often used interchangeably by Liz Olson There are key differences between Great Britain , the United Kingdom , and England —names often used interchangeably. Great Britain Great Britain is an island that consists of three somewhat autonomous regions that include England, Scotland , and Wales . It is located east of Ireland and northwest of France in the Atlantic Ocean . The United Kingdom The United Kingdom is a country that includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland . Its official name is “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are often mistaken as names of countries, but they are only a part of the United Kingdom. The British Isles The British Isles is another term altogether and encompasses Great Britain, the island of Ireland, and several other smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man . The Isle of Man is not a part of the United Kingdom or the European Union , even though its Lord is the Monarch of the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of countries that were formerly British colonies.

Members of the Commonwealth of Nations recognize the United Kingdom Monarch as their own king or queen, but remain politically independent. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations Difference between UK and Great Britain? Difference between UK and Great Britain? #1 ( permalink ) Fri Jan 20, 2006 23:45 pm Difference between UK and Great Britain? OK, there is this guy from London who's a student here at our university. We've recently had a discussion with him when somebody asked him what the difference between UK and Great Britain was. He said there was none - both terms would be used for the same country. I remembered that our English teacher back at school had told us that there IS a difference and that Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales while the UK is Great Britain plus Northern Ireland. A glance through Wikipedia confirmed that my memory is not that bad at all ;-). Now, here is my question: How come this Londoner isn't aware of the difference between the UK and Great Britain? Maybe British citizens don't pay too much attention to these definitions because after all it is not imporant anyway. Perhaps it's a bit like referring to the UK by saying England?

_________________ #2 ( permalink ) Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:41 am The Uk vs. Great Britain vs. Britain Hello Andreana, Maybe youï¿½ve already visited the ï¿½Know Britainï¿½ site. Anyway, the following quote from one of their pages might answer your questions. At the same time, it shows that you practically replied to them yourself: Quote: GREAT BRITAIN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE BRITISH ISLES, BRITISH ISLANDS Many are not aware of the precise meaning of the term "Great Britain". Even many British are unaware of the precise reality that the term expresses. Try asking a person living in the United Kingdom the exact meaning of the expression they have on their passports: "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Many will not be able to provide an adequate answer. No wonder, therefore, that confusion also exists outside the United Kingdom and that in other European countries people erroneously group together the English, Scottish and Welsh under the word in their own language meaning "English". Hence, for example, the French commonly group them together in the term "anglais" and the Italians "inglesi".

This can be a cause of offence for the Scottish and the Welsh. (In Spain, too, you can still hear ï¿½Inglaterraï¿½ and ï¿½los inglesesï¿½ as global terms, even though many of us know itï¿½s wrong.) Quote: The adjective "British" The adjective "British" is, of course, used in relation to Great Britain but there is also a common tendency to use it when referring to issues relating to both Great Britain and the United Kingdom. This is inaccurate and from a legal point of view erroneous. Sometimes, however, in legislation the term "British" is used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole, especially in matters relating to the question of nationality. Can you find all the prepositions in this story? English grammar exercises  improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this ! Learn how to explore English words! Subscribe to free email English course #3 ( permalink ) Mon Jan 23, 2006 13:51 pm British Hi Andreana, Speaking as someone who's lived here what seems for ever, I have to admit that it's a complete muddle.

If you talk about the English, people in the other parts of the country say: What about us (Scottish/Welsh/northern Irish)? The other expression The British sounds terribly formal to me and of late the expression is The Brits, which to me sounds like the title of a soap opera. I also find it very irritating when I go through one of these lists on the Internet where you're asked for your country. Is it Great Britain or United Kingdom? But there we are - it's one of life's minor irritations. On this site in my newsletters I usually say: Here in the UK we ... and when I fill up (or fill out) a form, I usually write: British/English and that seems to suffice. Have I confused you or what? Alan English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Present Simple #4 ( permalink ) Mon Jan 23, 2006 16:50 pm Uk vs. great britain Hi Alan, thanks a lot for clarifying this point - it shows how complex life can be. That's why it's good that we have the opportunity to pick your brain and get an explanation from you whenever we need.

By the way I look forward to reading the next issue of your newsletter. Regards Posts: 204 Location: Argentina #5 ( permalink ) Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:23 pm THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND Someone mentioned about how a Londoner didn't know the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain. As already stated by someone else the UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whereas Great Britain consisted of the three countries minus Northern Ireland. But let's muddy the geographical waters a little more. Great Britain is called 'GREAT', not because it is particularly great in the meaning of the word but because it was greater than Brittany in France, which was once under the rule the same monarch, and so that was why Britain was called 'great' to differentiate it from Brittany. Let's throw a spanner into the Northern Ireland part of the geographical works. Northern Ireland is made up of six counties which is a dependancy of Great Britain.

Now Ireland is divided into 4 Provinces, one of which is Ulster, (the other 3 belong to the Irish Republic) consisting of nine counties, wherein lies the six counties already mentioned - the other three counties belong to the Republic of Ireland. Even some natives of Northern Ireland (the British part) find it difficult to get their mind round this as some UK politicians refer to the Irish Dependancy as Ulster, others refer to it as Northern Ireland and yet others to it as simply the 'NORTH'. Now, bear with me on this as it gets slightly difficult. Donegal is a county of Ulster, it is at the extreme northern part of the island of Ireland, it belongs to the Republic of Ireland which is referred to as the 'SOUTH'. So Donegal, whilst situated in the North is in fact in the South. Clear so far? #6 ( permalink ) Fri Oct 17, 2008 17:31 pm Difference between UK and Great Britain?

Great Britain = the island of Britannia (England, Wales and Scotland) UK = United Kingdom of Great Britain (Britannia) and Northern Island I suggest that the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish national soccer teams consolidate into one team -- the UK. Such combined forces would really be something to behold... or might, anyway, if any Scottish, Welsh or Norther Irish were good enough to unseat any of England's players. hehe hehe Though, seriously, England really badly needs a natural left-side midfielder... so maybe Scotland or Wales could help with that. Ryan Giggs, for instance, could be yanked out of international retirement to play on the left. _________________ #7 ( permalink ) Sat Oct 18, 2008 0:37 am Difference between UK and Great Britain? prezbucky wrote: I suggest that the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish national soccer teams consolidate into one team -- the UK. Such combined forces would really be something to behold... or might, anyway, if any Scottish, Welsh or Norther Irish were good enough to unseat any of England's players. hehe I think such an undertaking would result in more lobbyism than there was before Cappello's arrival.

You'd only have to look at the Lions (rugby concentration of troops) to see how the best European players are slaughtered by the all blacks over and over again! _________________ #8 ( permalink ) Sat Oct 18, 2008 18:50 pm Difference between UK and Great Britain? don't they always play in New Zealand though? _________________ #9 ( permalink ) Fri Jul 09, 2010 14:14 pm Difference between UK and Great Britain? I think Britons are the same as foreigners in that their use of language can be lazy but I am not sure why the Londoner you refer to didn't understand the difference. I am someone who finds the wrong use exceedingly irritating. I note that many Americans, including recent Presidents insist on calling the UK "Great Britain". The term "Great Britain" is actually very rarely used in the UK. The information on Wikipedia is correct, and is available to billions of people around the world: England, Scotland etc. are semi-autonomous regions, Great Britain is an island and not a country, the country is called the United Kingdom. I think it is simple to understand, clearly it is not!!

To summarise (i) for discussions on ethnicity/language, use English, Welsh etc. (the English are largely of German/Danish extraction, the Welsh, Scots and Irish are Celts), (ii) for legal purposes refer to 'England and Wales', 'Scotland', or ï¿½Northern Irelandï¿½ (iii) for geographical purposes the terms 'Great Britain' and 'British Isles' (now politically incorrect) are used, (iv) for political purposes only ever refer to the United Kingdom (UK). So we are Britons speaking English, Welsh etc. with three legal systems inhabiting many islands, the largest of which is Great Britain, which together with Northern Ireland forms a country called the UK; the UK consists of four constituent semi-autonomous regions - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, three of which have their own assemblies. Our representation in the EU, in NATO, the UN etc. is only ever as the UK. We carry UK passports and our nationality is British (English isn't strictly a nationality). For historical reasons we compete in sporting events as constituent nations. The Isle of Man and Channel Islands are not part of the UK. Simple!

#10 ( permalink ) Sat Apr 09, 2011 16:28 pm Difference between UK and Great Britain? I think allot of the confusion with UK residents getting things wrong is compounded by (read as didn't exist before) web form developers insisting on grouping phrases such as "UK" or "Great Britain" under drop down lists for "Country". This forces us into filling in the form deliberately wrongly, and in the case of Northern Ireland, sometimes making us choose between "Great Britain" or "Ireland", neither of which is true in any sense - at least "Great Britain" is relevant for England, Scotland and Wales. How hard can it be to expand a one line entry to show all 5 constituent countries of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland? (Ireland being part of the geographical British Isles in case your wondering.) And as for the Isle of Man... isn't that a separate political entity also? I cant remember the last time I saw THAT on a drop down list!! It's a maximum of 5 extra lines of code, it really is NOT hard to implement.

Ergo: its a total lack of respect for countries involved, or its simply a case of downright ignorance and laziness! Both of which are not good advertising in my opinion!

Question: By political definition, what is the essential difference between Great Britian and United Kingdom?
Answer: Northern Ireland